Brighton 3, West Bromwich Albion 1: Gross double helps super Seagulls to first Premier League victory

The German netted twice either side of half-time to become the Seagulls first-ever Premier League goalscorer and send them to their first top-flight victory in 34 years. The last was a 1-0 home success over Coventry City on April 22, 1983.

In netting, Gross also became their maiden top-flight goalscorer since Gordon Smith, who netted in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on 14 May 1983.

Tomer Hemed also shrugged off his mid-week injury worries to notch a third as that man Gross turned provider.

It was achieved against a West Bromwich Albion side that went into the match in fine form, unbeaten and sitting fifth in the table.

A tough afternoon was expected for the home side, but a sterling showing saw them ahead to Gross' deflected goal just before half-time after they had stifled their visitors.

And the same man made it 2-0 moments into the second half in a game that saw John Motson, who announced he would be retiring at the end of the season earlier this week, covering his first-ever game at the Amex.

Hemed made the starting line, while Jose Izquierdo was only named on the bench along with Glenn Murray, who also quelled his injury fears. New signings Ezequiel Schelotto and Tim Krul were not even named in the Seagulls squad.

West Brom handed a debut to new signing Grzegorz Krychowiak, while Kieran Gibbs was named on the bench.

It was a chess-like start in the opening ten-minutes with both side cancelling each other out until the home side thought they had their first Premier League goal on 14 minutes.

A fierce Solly March effort from outside the box after a free kick was poorly dealt with by Ben Foster and the ball popped up to Shane Duffy to tap home, but the assistant referee correctly had his flag up for offside against the Irishman.

Anthony Knockaert then sent an effort straight at Foster, while at the other end, Albion old boy Gareth Barry had the first effort for the visitors which was blocked away and looked suspiciously like a corner, despite a goal kick being given.

The home side went on to dominate the majority of the rest of the half. With an increased tempo and controlling possession, Brighton got the ball into good areas out wide, but the only thing lacking was the final ball as they fully stifled their visitors.

That was until the 39th minute when Barry gave a stark reminder of West Brom's attacking threat as he was left in space on the edge of the box and lashed an effort at Mathew Ryan's goal, but the Australian acrobatically turned it behind.

Back at the other end, Knockaert laid into Pascal Gross, who had time and space to turn just outside the 18-yard box, but his left-footed shot curled just over the bar.